Senior college: A health club for the mind

By Amy Sunderland Director, Senior College of West Central Minnesota

Alexandria Technical and Community College is home to a vibrant lecture series where scholars from across the state and beyond share their expertise on a range of topics. Individual sessions delve into history, economics, religion, political science, international affairs, science and more, each providing fascinating insights and context relevant to our world today.

ATCC established Senior College in 2006 in response to community interest in informative and challenging college learning without the pressures of tests, grades or degrees. Designed for adults 50+, Senior College is open to adults of any age. Participants range from age 45-99.

Three “seasons” of programming include Fall and Spring lecture series and a January short course. All lectures are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15-4:45 p.m. – typically in the auditorium of the ATCC Information and Technology Center. Now, from the safety and comfort of home, Senior College is convening via Zoom. Once registered, participants receive a link and “click” to join. Virtual lectures also allow friends and family in distant locations to join in.

Senior College has hosted some of Minnesota’s best college professors. From the University of Minnesota, our flagship university, we have featured cutting edge research and initiatives underway to develop solutions that affect our lives, including Dr. Michael Osterholm on infectious disease and Mark Seeley on climate change in our own backyard. Professors also come from University of Minnesota Morris, University of Minnesota Duluth, College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University, St. Thomas University, St. Olaf College, Carleton College, Hamline University, Macalester College, Augsburg College, and the Alexandria Technical and Community College.

The program showcases the excellent teaching and scholarship in Minnesota’s treasured colleges and universities – schools that have launched many of our residents, teachers and leaders. It is an exhilarating experience to be in the presence of public intellectuals who demonstrate a care for and attention to learning and dispel the myth of the “ivory tower.”

Fondly known as a Health Club for the Mind – lectures at Senior College leave us inspired to think, read and talk with each other. It demonstrates learning is exciting, challenging, relevant - and it never ends.